U.S. patent application number 16/033255 was filed with the patent office on 2019-01-17 for lighting control console, lighting system using the same, and control method of lighting fixture.
The applicant listed for this patent is Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Akane MATSUO.
Application Number | 20190021152 16/033255 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 64999425 |
Filed Date | 2019-01-17 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190021152 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MATSUO; Akane |
January 17, 2019 |
LIGHTING CONTROL CONSOLE, LIGHTING SYSTEM USING THE SAME, AND
CONTROL METHOD OF LIGHTING FIXTURE
Abstract
The lighting control console includes an operation device, a
control device that controls a lighting fixture, and a storage that
stores position information of a plurality of points. The storage
stores a plurality of paths connecting two points. The operation
device accepts first and second operation inputs. The control
device controls the lighting fixture so as to move a lighting
position along a first path determined out of the plurality of
paths in accordance with the first operation input at a speed in
accordance with an input amount of the first operation input. The
control device controls the lighting fixture so as to change the
lighting position onto a second path adjacent to the first path
upon the second operation input exceeding a predetermined threshold
while the lighting position is moving along the first path.
Inventors: |
MATSUO; Akane; (Osaka,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. |
Osaka |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
64999425 |
Appl. No.: |
16/033255 |
Filed: |
July 12, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05B 47/155 20200101;
G05G 9/047 20130101; H05B 45/10 20200101 |
International
Class: |
H05B 37/02 20060101
H05B037/02; G05G 9/047 20060101 G05G009/047; H05B 33/08 20060101
H05B033/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 13, 2017 |
JP |
2017-137281 |
Claims
1. A lighting control console comprising: an operation device
configured to accept an operation input for controlling a lighting
fixture; a control device that transmits a control signal for
controlling the lighting fixture to the lighting fixture upon
reception of an input signal transmitted by the operation device in
response to the operation input; and a storage in which position
information of a plurality of points existing in a predetermined
space is stored, wherein in the storage, a plurality of paths
connecting a first point and a second point out of the plurality of
points are stored, the first point being a start point, the second
point being a target point, the operation device is configured to
accept, as the operation input, a first operation input and a
second operation input which are independent of each other, upon
reception of the input signal transmitted by the operation device
in accordance with the first operation input, the control device
controls the lighting fixture so as to move a lighting position of
the lighting fixture from the start point toward the target point
along a first path included in the plurality of paths stored in the
storage, and to move the lighting position at a speed in accordance
with an input amount of the first operation input, and the control
device controls the lighting fixture so as to change the lighting
position onto a second path adjacent to the first path when the
input signal transmitted by the operation device in accordance with
the second operation input while moving the lighting position along
the first path exceeds a predetermined threshold.
2. The lighting control console according to claim 1, wherein the
operation device is a joystick configured to accept inputs in
two-dimensional directions, the first operation input is an input
to the joystick in a first direction of the two-dimensional
directions, and the second operation input is an input to the
joystick in a second direction of the two-dimensional directions
and perpendicular to the first direction.
3. The lighting control console according to claim 1, wherein the
storage stores control information regarding control of dimming
state of the lighting fixture, the dimming state being associated
with each of the plurality of points, and the control device
controls the lighting fixture such that the dimming state of the
lighting fixture becomes a dimming state associated with the target
point based on the control information stored in the storage when
the lighting position reaches the target point.
4. The lighting control console according to claim 1, further
comprising an input device configured to accept an input for
updating the target point, wherein when the input device accepts
the input for updating the target point, the control device
controls the lighting fixture so as to create a plurality of paths
connecting a current point at which the lighting position exists
and the updated target point based on position information of the
updated target point, and so as to move the lighting position of
the lighting fixture along one path included in the created
plurality of paths.
5. A lighting system comprising: a lighting control console
comprising, an operation device configured to accept an operation
input for controlling a lighting fixture, a control device that
transmits a control signal for controlling the lighting fixture to
the lighting fixture upon reception of an input signal transmitted
by the operation device in response to the operation input, and a
storage in which position information of a plurality of points
existing in a predetermined space is stored, wherein in the
storage, a plurality of paths connecting a first point and a second
point out of the plurality of points are stored, the first point
being a start point, the second point being a target point, the
operation device is configured to accept, as the operation input, a
first operation input and a second operation input which are
independent of each other, upon reception of the input signal
transmitted by the operation device in accordance with the first
operation input, the control device controls the lighting fixture
so as to move a lighting position of the lighting fixture from the
start point toward the target point along a first path included in
the plurality of paths stored in the storage, and to move the
lighting position at a speed in accordance with an input amount of
the first operation input, and the control device controls the
lighting fixture so as to change the lighting position onto a
second path adjacent to the first path when the input signal
transmitted by the operation device in accordance with the second
operation input while moving the lighting position along the first
path exceeds a predetermined threshold; and a lighting fixture, a
lighting position of which is movable, and which moves the lighting
position in response to the control signal transmitted by the
control device included in the lighting control console.
6. A control method of a lighting fixture, using a lighting control
console including an operation device configured to accept an
operation input for controlling a lighting fixture, a control
device that transmits a signal for controlling the lighting fixture
to the lighting fixture upon reception of an input signal
transmitted by the operation device in response to the operation
input, and a storage in which position information of a plurality
of points existing in a predetermined space is stored, in the
storage, a plurality of paths connecting a first point and a second
point out of the plurality of points are stored, the first point
being a start point, the second point being a target point, the
operation device being configured to accept, as the operation
input, a first operation input and a second operation input which
are independent of each other, the method comprising the steps of:
when the operation device receives the first operation input,
moving a lighting position of the lighting fixture using the
control device from the start point toward the target point along a
first path included in the plurality of paths stored in the storage
at a speed in accordance with an input amount of the first
operation input; and changing the lighting position of the lighting
fixture using the control device onto a second path adjacent to the
first path when the operation device accepts the second operation
input having an input amount exceeding a predetermined threshold
during the step of moving the lighting position of the lighting
fixture.
7. The control method according to claim 6, further comprising the
step of when the lighting position reaches the target point,
reading control information regarding control of dimming state of
the lighting fixture using the control device, the dimming state
being associated with the target point, the control information
being stored in the storage, and controlling the lighting fixture
such that the dimming state of the lighting fixture becomes the
dimming state associated with the target point based on the read
control information.
8. The control method according to claim 6, wherein the operation
device is a joystick that accepts inputs in two-dimensional
directions, the first operation input is an input to the joystick
in a first direction of the two-dimensional directions, and the
second operation input is an input to the joystick in a second
direction of the two-dimensional directions and perpendicular to
the first direction.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No.
2017-137281 filed on Jul. 13, 2017, including the specification,
claims, drawings, and abstract is incorporated herein by reference
in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to a lighting
control console, a lighting system using the same, and a control
method of a lighting fixture, and more particular to a lighting
control console which controls a lighting fixture used, for
example, in a wedding hall, a banquet hall, a multipurpose hall or
the like, a lighting system using the same, and a control method of
the lighting fixture.
BACKGROUND
[0003] It is conventional to practice tracking lighting in which a
movable lighting fixture such as a spotlight is caused to light a
moving lighting target such, for example, as a person, and its
lighting position is moved following the movement of the
target.
[0004] Exemplary ways of the tracking lighting include, for
example, a method of manually operating the lighting fixture
directly or through remote operation, and a method of controlling
the lighting fixture to perform automatic tracking. Examples of the
method of causing the lighting fixture to perform automatic
tracking include, for example, a method of moving the lighting
position of the lighting fixture in accordance with a preset
schedule.
[0005] For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application
Publication No. Hei8-138871 discloses a control device including a
follow spotlight whose dimming states can be remotely controlled,
and a console which controls the spotlight and the like. This
control device is configured such that movement of the follow
spotlight becomes continuous movement as a result of reproducing
stored items in the order of the scene numbers after storing
lighting points of the spotlight designated based on an image
captured by a camera, control items of the spotlight input using
input means, and control results of individual scenes along with
scene numbers.
SUMMARY
Technical Problem
[0006] In the case of the manual tracking method, it is necessary
to adjust two-dimensional inputs of the lighting position of the
lighting fixture to the position coordinates of the lighting
target, and in addition, such inputs must continue at all times
during the lighting target moving. This leads to a large load on an
operator and a high possibility of operation errors. In the case of
the automatic tracking with the lighting fixture, it is common for
the lighting target to temporally and spatially deviate from the
preset schedule, which can cause a deviation between the lighting
position and the lighting target. Therefore, the automatic tracking
often ends up being switched to the manual operation.
[0007] It is an advantage of the present disclosure to provide a
lighting control console with which positioning between a lighting
target and a lighting position can be made easy, which relieves an
operation load on a user, when tracking movement of the lighting
target to move the lighting position of a lighting fixture, a
lighting system using the same, and a control method of a lighting
fixture.
Solution to Problem
[0008] There is provided a lighting control console according to
the present disclosure, including: an operation device configured
to accept an operation input for controlling a lighting fixture; a
control device that transmits a signal for controlling the lighting
fixture to the lighting fixture upon reception of an input signal
transmitted by the operation device in response to operation input;
and a storage in which position information of a plurality of
points existing in a predetermined space is stored. In the storage,
a plurality of paths connecting a first point and a second point
out of the plurality of points are stored, the first point being a
start point, the second point being a target point. The operation
device is being configured to accept, as the operation input, a
first operation input and a second operation input which are
independent of each other. Upon reception of the input signal
transmitted by the operation device in accordance with the first
operation input, the control device controls the lighting fixture
so as to move a lighting position of the lighting fixture from the
start point toward the target point along a first path included in
the plurality of paths stored in the storage, and to move the
lighting position at a speed in accordance with an input amount of
the first operation input. The control device controls the lighting
fixture so as to change the lighting position onto a second path
adjacent to the first path when the input signal transmitted by the
operation device in accordance with the second operation input
while moving the lighting position along the first path exceeds a
predetermined threshold.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0009] According to the lighting control console according to the
present disclosure, when the lighting position of a lighting
fixture is caused to track movement of a lighting target using the
relevant lighting control console, positioning between the lighting
target and the lighting position may be easy, which may relieve an
operation load on a user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0010] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described
based on the following figures, wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram exemplarily showing a
configuration of a lighting system according to an example of an
embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram exemplarily showing a lighting
space whose lighting state is controlled by the lighting system
according to an example of an embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram for exemplarily explaining
movement of a lighting target and a control method of a lighting
fixture according to an example of an embodiment; and
[0014] FIG. 4 is a flowchart exemplarily showing processing which a
lighting control console according to an example of an embodiment
performs for controlling the lighting fixture.
[0015] The figures depict one or more implementations in accordance
with the present teaching, by way of example only, not by way of
limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the
same or similar elements.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0016] Hereafter, embodiments according to the present disclosure
will be described in detail with reference to the appended
drawings. In the following description, specific numerical values,
quantities, directions and the like are exemplarily presented for
ease of understanding the present disclosure, and they can be
appropriately modified so as to meet the specifications of a
lighting system to which a setting method of a lighting fixture is
applied. Moreover, when the following includes a plurality of
embodiments and modifications, it is originally assumed to
appropriately combine and use portions of those. Similar elements
in all the drawings are given the same signs to be described
below.
[0017] FIG. 1 is a block diagram exemplarily showing a
configuration of a lighting system according to an embodiment of
the present disclosure. The lighting system 1 according to the
present embodiment includes a lighting control console 10 and
lighting fixtures 2. The lighting control console 10 shown in FIG.
1 is configured to have a joystick (operation device) 12, a control
device 14, a storage 16, a display 18 and a touch panel 20 (input
device) 20.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram exemplarily showing a lighting
space whose lighting state is controlled by the lighting system 1.
In the lighting space shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of lighting
fixtures 2 are arranged on the ceiling portion of the lighting
space, and a plurality of tables 3 are arranged on the floor
surface of the lighting space. While examples of the lighting space
include, for example, a wedding hall, a banquet hall, a
multipurpose hall, a stage (theater stage) and the like, it is not
limited as long as it is an environment in which the lighting
fixtures 2 can be installed.
[0019] The lighting fixture 2 is a movable spotlight, for example,
having semiconductor light-emitting elements such as LEDs (Light
Emitting Diodes). The lighting fixture 2 is connected to the
control device 14 of the lighting control console 10 in a wired or
wireless manner. The lighting fixture 2 is controlled in accordance
with a signal (hereinafter also referred to as "control signal")
for instruction of dimming states and the like transmitted from the
control device 14. The dimming states include, for example, ON/OFF
of the lighting fixture 2, a lighting position, a light beam, a
color tone and the like, not being limited thereto. Thereby,
lighting representation is possible in an environment where the
lighting fixtures 2 can be installed. In the lighting system 1
shown in FIG. 1, each lighting fixture 2 has an input terminal and
an output terminal, and the lighting fixtures 2 are connected in
series by connecting the input terminal of one lighting fixture 2
to the output terminal of another lighting fixture 2. Note that the
number and the type of lighting fixtures 2 used for the lighting
system 1 are not limited as long as the dimming states of the
lighting fixtures 2 can be controlled by the lighting control
console 10. Moreover, the dimming states of the lighting fixtures 2
can be appropriately controlled by a known method depending on the
lighting fixtures 2 used. For example, as the lighting fixtures 2,
there may be used halogen lamps, metal halide lamps or the like. In
that case, the dimming states of the lighting fixtures 2 may be
controlled via a dimming console which receives the control signal
transmitted by the lighting control console 10 and performs control
such as phase control and power supply control on the lighting
fixtures 2.
[0020] Returning to FIG. 1, the lighting control console 10 is
described. The lighting control console 10 includes, for example,
the joystick 12, the control device 14, the storage 16, the display
18 and the touch panel 20. The lighting control console 10 controls
lighting of the lighting fixtures 2, for example, arranged at
predetermined positions in a lighting space such as a wedding
hall.
[0021] The joystick 12 functions as an operation device configured
to accept operation inputs for controlling the lighting fixtures 2.
The joystick 12 has, for example, an operation lever which can be
inclined in two-dimensional directions, and a detection mechanism
which detects a vector quantity corresponding to inclination
directions and inclination angles of the operation lever. The
operation lever is supported so as to be able to be inclined in all
the surrounding directions from the center position. The detection
mechanism separates an inclination component in a first direction
and an inclination component in a second direction perpendicular to
the first direction with respect to the operation lever from each
other to detect and output the inclinations components as an
electric signal. Namely, the detection mechanism is configured to
detect an x-component and a y-component in the case where the
vector quantity corresponding to the inclination of the operation
lever is presented on the x-y-Cartesian coordinates and output them
as the electric signal. In the lighting control console 10
according to the present embodiment, there are matched with one
another the coordination axes in the right-left direction as seen
by a user for the lighting space in the hall, the operation input
direction of the joystick 12, and a floor diagram displayed on the
display 18 mentioned later so as to be in the same direction.
Thereby, the lighting fixtures 2 can be controlled based on feeling
of operating the joystick 12.
[0022] In the lighting control console 10, the control device 14
performs processing of signals and various kinds of control. The
control device 14 is connected to the operation device, and
receives an input signal transmitted by the operation device that
has accepted the operation input. Moreover, the control device 14
generates a control signal for controlling the dimming states of
the lighting fixtures 2 to transmit it to the lighting fixtures 2.
For example, when the dimming states of the lighting fixtures 2 are
controlled by execution of a program or the like, the control
device 14 performs predetermined calculation based on information
regarding the lighting positions and the dimming states of the
lighting fixtures 2, generates the control signal for controlling
the lighting fixtures 2 such that they are in the instructed
dimming states, and transmits the control signal to the lighting
fixtures 2. Transmission of the control signal to the lighting
fixtures 2 is performed as transmission of a dimming signal or the
like, for example, having a DMX 512 format from a not-shown
transmission device.
[0023] The control device 14 is made up, for example, of a
microcomputer and includes a processor (processing device), which
operates in accordance with a program, as a main hardware
configuration. The control device 14 reads a program, data or a
map, and the like stored in the storage 16 to perform predetermined
operation. The processor may be of any type as long as it can
realize its functions by executing a program. The processor is made
up of one or plurality of electronic circuits including
semiconductor integrated circuits (ICs) or an LSI (Large Scale
Integration) circuit. The plurality of electronic circuits may be
integrated into one chip, or may be provided on a plurality of
chips. The plurality of chips may be collected into one device, or
may be included in a plurality of devices.
[0024] The storage 16 stores various kinds of information. The
information stored in the storage 16 can be read and written by the
control device 14. The storage 16 is, for example, a memory, a hard
disk drive or the like. As the storage 16, there may be used a
temporary recording medium such as an optical disc and a flash
memory. The storage 16 stores various control programs, information
data, maps and the like for the control device 14 executing
predetermined processing. The programs may be previously stored in
the storage 16, or may be supplied to the storage 16 via wide area
networks including the Internet and the like.
[0025] In the lighting control console 10 of the present
embodiment, the storage 16 previously records information such as,
for example, the arrangement, the number and the movable ranges of
the lighting fixtures 2 installed in the lighting space. Moreover,
as mentioned later, in the present embodiment, the storage 16 also
stores, for example, information regarding points P (mentioned
later) and paths L (mentioned later) which a lighting position of
the lighting fixture 2 passes through in tracking operation,
information (control information) regarding control of the dimming
states of the lighting fixture 2 associated with the points P, and
the like. Note that the lighting position is coordinates, for
example, instructed by the control device 14 as the lighting
direction of the lighting fixture 2.
[0026] The display 18 is made up, for example, of a liquid crystal
display, an LED display or the like. The display 18 is not limited
to these as long as it displays each screen needed for control and
setting of the lighting fixtures 2 by the lighting control console
10. The display 18 is connected to the control device 14, and
display of screens on the display 18 is controlled by the control
device 14. The display 18 displays, for example, information
indicative of the dimming states of the lighting fixtures 2
including the lighting positions, information indicative of the
points P and the paths L mentioned later, and the like.
[0027] In the present embodiment, the touch panel 20 is disposed,
for example, on the display 18. The touch panel 20 is configured to
accept various inputs by the user pushing or touching with a pen or
a finger (finger and the like) on an image displayed by the display
18, and functions as an input device. Thereby, the user can input
information needed for operation and setting of the lighting
control console 10 using the touch panel 20. A signal based on the
input of the user is transmitted from the touch panel 20 to the
control device 14.
[0028] Next, referring to FIG. 3, there is described a control
method of the lighting fixture 2 using the lighting control console
10 and the lighting system 1 according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram for explaining movement of a
lighting target and an example of the control method of the
lighting fixture 2. In the following description, it is assumed
that the lighting control console 10 and the lighting system 1 are
used, for example, in a wedding hall in a scene where a spotlight
is caused to track the bride and groom in synchronization with
their movement. As a more specific scene, there can be exemplarily
cited entering or exiting of the bride and groom, a ceremony
(so-called "ceremony with lighting candles") in which the bride and
groom sequentially move around the individual tables 3 at which
their guests are seated, or the like.
[0029] In the scene where tracking lighting is performed as
mentioned above, there is often predetermined a route R on which
the lighting target moves in the hall. Therefore, the lighting
position has been attempted to be automatically tracked. However,
when such tracking lighting is actually performed, there has
possibly been a case where the movement speed of the lighting
target changes, or a case where the lighting target comes close to
a guest, depending on the situation in the hall, and as a result,
the lighting target has possibly been off the scheduled lighting
position. Therefore, such an automatic tracking method has
sometimes not been able to sufficiently handle a situation that
actually happens, the method having difficulty in allowing for a
deviation from the preset schedule. In such circumstances, the
inventors have focused a situation where a route R on which the
lighting target moves is predetermined as above and where actual
movement of the lighting target does not largely deviate from the
route R in time and in space.
[0030] FIG. 3 shows a partial horizontal plane (x-y-plane) of the
lighting space. In FIG. 3, a lighting target O moves along the
route R in the lighting space. On the route R, there are a
plurality of points P1, P2, P3, . . . (also collectively referred
to as "points P") which are spaced from one another. Numerals in
the points P1, P2, P3 and the like represent the order in which the
lighting position of the lighting fixture 2 is moved. Moreover,
between the points P1 and P2, there are provided a plurality of
paths L1, L2 and L3 (also collectively referred to as "paths L")
each of which connects both points. Although, between the points P2
and P3, there are provided a plurality of paths L, each of which
connects both points, they are omitted in FIG. 3.
[0031] In a tracking method using the lighting control console 10
and the lighting system according to the present embodiment, for
example, there are designated the plurality of points P along the
route R on which the lighting target O moves, and the lighting
position of the lighting fixture 2 is moved along the path L, out
of the plurality of points P, which is preset so as to connect the
first point P1 and the second point P2.
[0032] In the example shown in FIG. 3, when the lighting target O
is between the points P1 and P2, the lighting control console 10
moves the lighting position of the lighting fixture 2 along the
path L2. This movement of the lighting position is controlled by
the control device 14 in accordance with the input (hereinafter
also referred to as "operation input") which the joystick 12 has
accepted based on operation of the user. Specifically, the
operation input is separated into a component in a tangential
direction T (hereinafter also referred to as "first direction") to
the path L and a component in a normal direction N (hereinafter
also referred to as "second direction") thereto at the current
position of the lighting target O by the control device 14 of the
lighting control console 10. The control device 14 determines
whether or not the joystick 12 receives the operation input along
the first direction and whether or not it receives the operation
input along the second direction based on the input amounts of the
first directional component and the second directional component of
the operation input. Next, the control device 14 controls the
movement of the lighting position by the lighting fixture 2 in
accordance with the first directional component and the second
directional component of the separated operation input.
[0033] The first directional component of the operation input is
associated with the movement of the lighting position along the
path L. When the control device 14 determines that the joystick 12
receives the operation input along the first direction, it controls
the lighting fixture 2 so as to move the lighting position along
the path L at a movement speed in accordance with the input amount
of the first directional component. In other words, the control
device 14 receives a signal based on the first directional
component from the joystick 12, and transmits a control signal to
the lighting fixture 2 to move the lighting position of the
lighting fixture 2 along the path L at the speed in accordance with
the input amount of the first directional component. The second
directional component of the operation input is associated with
selection of the path L on which the lighting position is moved.
When the control device 14 determines that the joystick 12 receives
the operation input along the second direction, it compares the
input amount of the second directional component with a
predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold is, for
example, stored in the storage 16 and read by the control device
14. When the control device 14 determines that the input amount of
the second directional component exceeds the predetermined
threshold, it controls the lighting fixture 2 such that the path L
on which the lighting position is moved is changed to an adjacent
path L thereto in the direction of the operation input (inclination
direction of the joystick 12). In other words, when a signal based
on the second directional component received from the joystick 12
is larger than the predetermined threshold, the control device 14
transmits a control signal to the lighting fixture 2 to change the
lighting position from the current position to a position on the
adjacent path L in the direction in accordance with the second
directional component.
[0034] With the case where the lighting position is at the lighting
target O in FIG. 3, as an example, there is specifically described
control of the lighting position based on the operation input
received by the joystick 12. The first direction at the lighting
target O, that is, the tangential direction T to the path L2, is
the x-axis direction, and the second direction thereat, that is,
the normal direction N to the path L2, is the y-axis direction.
When the joystick 12 is inclined in the x-axis positive direction,
the control device 14 moves the lighting position along the path L2
at the speed in accordance with the inclination angle of the
joystick 12. When the joystick 12 is inclined in the y-axis
positive direction and the control device 14 determines that the
inclination angle of the joystick 12 exceeds a predetermined
threshold, the control device 14 moves the lighting position from
the lighting target O to the position at which the vector in the
y-axis positive direction intersects the path L1.
[0035] By using the lighting control console 10 and the lighting
system 1 configured as above, the user can perform tracking
operations, for example, while observing the position of the
lighting target O and the lighting position of the lighting fixture
2 visually or on a monitor screen. When the position of the
lighting target O and the lighting position of the lighting fixture
2 are displaced from each other, the user can match the lighting
position with the lighting target O instinctively by adjusting the
inclination of the joystick 12. In a conventional manual tracking
operation using the joystick 12, in order to match the lighting
position with the lighting target, it is necessary to adjust both
the x-axis directional component and the y-axis directional
component of the operation input and to cause the lighting position
to coincide with the lighting target. In the present embodiment,
the lighting position moves only on the path L as long as the input
amount of the second directional component does not exceed the
threshold. Thereby, even if the inclination of the joystick 12 is
slightly displaced with respect to the tangential direction T of
the path L, the lighting position moves on the path L without
deviating. As a result, the lighting position and the lighting
target O coincide with each other. As mentioned above, the tracking
operation of the lighting target O can be performed by
one-dimensional operation input. Moreover, even if the lighting
target O moves and deviates from the scheduled route R in the
normal direction N, by largely inclining the joystick 12 in the
direction corresponding to the normal direction N, the lighting
position can be matched with the current position of the lighting
target O. Then, the tracking operation can be subsequently
performed by one-dimensional operation input along the updated path
L. Accordingly, in the control method of the lighting fixture 2 of
the present embodiment, positioning between the lighting target and
the lighting position is easy, which relieves a tracking operation
load on the user.
[0036] Next, there is described in a time series manner a specific
example of the control method of the lighting fixture 2 using the
lighting control console 10 of the present embodiment. The control
method of the lighting fixture 2 described below is assumed, for
example, to be used, in a wedding hall, in a scene where a
spotlight is caused to track the bride and groom in synchronization
with their movement on the occasion of a ceremony in which the
bride and groom sequentially move around the individual tables 3 at
which their guests are seated, or the like.
[0037] First, as preparation for performing control (hereinafter
also referred to as "dimming control") of the dimming state of the
lighting fixture 2, the user inputs various kinds of information to
the lighting control console 10. Such input by the user is
appropriately performed, for example, through the joystick 12 and
the touch panel 20 included in the lighting control console 10, and
another input device.
[0038] When the lighting control console 10 is started up, and, for
example, the touch panel 20 accepts an input to an image region
displayed for selecting a setting mode on the display 18, the
control device 14 causes the display 18 to display a setting mode
screen. Moreover, the control device 14 causes the display 18 to
display an image corresponding to the horizontal plane of the
lighting space in which performance of dimming control is
scheduled, and waits for an input of points P mentioned later. The
image displayed on the display 18 may be able to be expanded and
shrunk as needed in accordance with user's input. Moreover,
examples of the image displayed on the display 18 include, for
example, a floor diagram associated with the lighting space which
is the hall and in which the tables 3 and seats are arranged, and
the like.
[0039] Next, in accordance with a movement route of the lighting
target which is predetermined or predicted, there are input points
P which the lighting position of the lighting fixture 2 is caused
to pass through, within a region in which the aforementioned image
is displayed. The input of the points P may be performed, for
example, through the touch panel 20. The input points P also
include a start point at which control of the lighting position of
the lighting fixture 2 is started. Position information of the
individual points P is stored in the storage 16, and the individual
points P are displayed to be superimposed on the floor diagram
displayed on the display 18. Next, in accordance with the movement
route of the lighting target, an order of passing through the
points P is input and stored in the storage 16. The lighting
position of the lighting fixture 2 is controlled by the control
device 14 so as to pass through the individual points P in
accordance with this input order.
[0040] The control device 14 generates a plurality of paths L
connecting two points P therebetween (for example, paths L
connecting the first point and the second point). The path L has
the start end at one (for example, the point P1 shown in FIG. 3) of
the two points P, and the termination end at the other (for
example, the point P2 shown in FIG. 3) thereof based on the passing
order of the points P. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the
plurality of paths L are generated near the route R in an
arrangement that interposes the route R between the plurality of
paths L. The number of paths L generated by the control device 14
and the maximum value of the amplitude of the paths L can also be
appropriately set. Setting of the maximum value of the amplitude of
the paths L is performed, for example, by setting the distance
between the middle point of the line segment connecting the two
points P therebetween and the point at which the farthest path L
from the route R intersects the bisector of this line segment.
Thereby, in accordance with the scene and the situation in which
the tracking operation is performed, a range of handling by the
control method of the present embodiment can be appropriately set.
The storage 16 stores the paths L generated by the control device
14. Note that in order to perform the control method of the
lighting fixture 2 and the tracking operation of the present
embodiment, for example, it is sufficient to set the points P which
the lighting position of the lighting fixture 2 is caused to pass
through, and information or setting of the route R on which the
lighting target is to move are not necessary.
[0041] In the present embodiment, after designating the points P
which the lighting position of the lighting fixture 2 is caused to
pass through in the aforementioned setting mode, there information
(control information) regarding control of the dimming state of the
lighting fixture 2 associated with the designated point P may be
preset. The storage 16 stores the control information of the
lighting fixture 2 associated with the point P. The control
information associated with the point P includes, for example,
ON/OFF information of the lighting fixture 2 (that is, selection of
the lighting fixture 2 of irradiation out of the plurality of
lighting fixtures 2), the intensity of light, the focus, the
irradiation range, the coordinates of the lighting position
(xy-coordinates on the horizontal plane) and the height of the
lighting position regarding irradiation by each lighting fixture 2,
and similar information. Thereby, in the tracking operation using
the lighting control console 10, when the lighting position of the
lighting fixture 2 reaches the point P, based on the control
information associated with the point P that it has reached, the
dimming states of all the lighting fixtures 2 can be controlled as
being preset without user input.
[0042] In the preparation stage for performing the dimming control
of the lighting fixture 2, the storage 16 stores the aforementioned
series of information input to the lighting control console 10 as
one setting data. When performing tracking operation by the dimming
control of the lighting fixture 2, the control device 14
appropriately reads the information stored in the storage 16 as the
setting data. Note that the setting data may be transferred to the
storage 16 using a temporary recording medium such as a memory card
after the user creates the setting data using an external device
such as a computer.
[0043] Hereafter, referring to FIG. 4, there is described a method
of causing the lighting position of the lighting fixture 2 to track
with movement of the lighting target O. FIG. 4 is a flowchart
exemplarily showing processing performed by the lighting control
console 10 for controlling the lighting fixture 2 to track the
lighting target O. Each step in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is
performed by the control device 14 of the lighting control console
10.
[0044] When the lighting control console 10 is started up and
accepts an input for starting tracking operation, the lighting
control console 10 starts dimming control of the lighting fixtures
2 for tracking control. The input for starting the tracking
operation may be, for example, an input on the touch panel 20, or
may be an input by pushing a button provided on the lighting
control console 10. Examples of this input on the touch panel 20
include, for example, an input on a region corresponding to an
image, for selecting a tracking operation mode, which is included
in the touch panel 20 and displayed on the display 18. Moreover, in
the lighting control console 10 according to the present
embodiment, the tracking operation mode may be integrated into a
series of lighting scenes, or the tracking operation may be started
by playing back the lighting scenes without the input. Next, a
screen corresponding to the tracking operation is displayed on the
display 18 by the control device 14. When the storage 16 stores
beforehand setting data for performing the dimming control of the
lighting fixtures 2, the control device 14 reads the setting data.
When the storage 16 does not store the setting data, an input of
the aforementioned various kinds of information is performed and
the setting data is created. The control device 14 displays the
various kinds of information such as an image showing the range of
the irradiation space, the points P, the position information of
the individual lighting fixtures 2, and the position information of
the lighting position on the display 18 based on the read or
created setting data. Moreover, the control device 14 may display
the route R, the paths L, the control information of the individual
lighting fixtures 2, and the like on the display 18 based on the
read setting data.
[0045] Next, the control device 14 starts control of the lighting
fixtures 2 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4.
[0046] In step S1, it is determined whether or not the joystick 12
receives an operation input by a user. Namely, it is determined
whether or not the input amount of an input signal transmitted by
the joystick 12 upon reception of the operation input exceeds the
predetermined threshold. When it is determined to be affirmative
(YES) in step S1, the process advances to step S2, and movement of
the lighting position of the lighting fixture 2 is started. When it
is determined to be negative (NO) in step S1, the determination in
step S1 is repeated until the joystick 12 accepts the operation
input. In step S1, the user inclines the joystick 12 in the
movement direction of the lighting position, and thereby moves the
lighting position of the lighting fixture 2 to start the tracking
operation.
[0047] In step S2, the control device 14 transmits a control signal
for instruction to move the lighting position to the lighting
fixture 2. The lighting fixture 2 rotates the lighting direction to
move the lighting position in response to the control signal from
the control device 14. In this stage, the path L along which the
lighting position moves from the start point is determined in
accordance with the direction of the operation input received by
the joystick 12 in step S1. Namely, the control device 14
calculates the inclination direction of the operation input
received by the joystick 12, specifies the path L based on the
relevant inclination direction, and starts to move the lighting
position along the specified path L. The control device 14 may
control the lighting fixture 2 so as to move the lighting position
along the path L closest to the inclination direction of the
operation input out of the plurality of paths L. Moreover, the
control device 14 calculates the input amount of the first
directional component of the operation input received by the
joystick 12. Namely, the control device 14 calculates the first
directional component of the operation input based on the input
signal transmitted by the joystick 12 upon reception of the
operation input, the position coordinates of the start point, and
the tangential direction T of the determined path L. The control
device 14 controls the lighting fixture 2 such that the movement
speed of the lighting position moving from the start point becomes
the speed in accordance with the calculated input amount.
[0048] In step S3, the current lighting position of the lighting
fixture 2 is read, and the first direction and the second direction
at the current lighting position are calculated. The current
lighting position has the position coordinates designated in the
control signal transmitted to the lighting fixture 2 by the control
device 14. The first direction and the second direction are
calculated based on the current lighting position and the shape of
the path L. When the path L is a curved line, the first direction
and the second direction are changing along with movement of the
lighting position. In the present embodiment, the movement speed of
the lighting position is set to correspond to the input amount of
the first directional component of the operation input received by
the joystick 12. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the lighting
fixture 2 is controlled while the first direction and the second
direction at the current lighting position is being updated. It is
therefore possible to relieve a difference between user's operation
feeling for the operation input of the joystick 12 and the actual
movement speed of the lighting position corresponding to the
operation input.
[0049] In step S4, it is determined whether or not the operation
input accepted by the joystick 12 along the second direction
(second directional component of the operation input) exceeds the
predetermined threshold. Namely, the control device 14 calculates
the second directional component of the operation input based on
the input signal transmitted by the joystick 12 upon reception of
the operation input, the position coordinates of the current
lighting position, and the shape of the path L. It is determined
whether or not the input amount of the calculated second
directional component of the operation input exceeds the
predetermined threshold. When it is determined to be affirmative
(YES) in step S4, the process advances to step S5. When it is
determined to be negative (NO) in step S4, the process advances to
step S7.
[0050] In step S5, for the operation input that exceeds the
threshold of the second directional component, it is determined
whether or not another path L is adjacent in input direction of the
operation input. The control device 14 performs the aforementioned
determination based on the orientation of the calculated second
directional component of the operation input, the position
coordinates of the current lighting position, and the information
of the plurality of paths L stored in the storage 16. When it is
determined to be affirmative (YES) in step S5, that is, when
another path L adjacent in the input direction of the relevant
second directional component exists, the process advances to step
S6. When it is determined to be negative (NO) in step S5, that is,
when another path L adjacent in the input direction of the relevant
second directional component does not exist, the process advances
to step S7.
[0051] As mentioned above, as long as a affirmative determination
is not made in step S5 the lighting position of the lighting
fixture 2 moves without deviating from the path L by the input
amount of the second directional component exceeding the threshold,
even if the inclination of the operation input on the joystick 12
and the movement direction (first direction) of the lighting
position deviate slightly. Therefore, compared with conventional
manual control of the lighting position, positioning between the
lighting target and the lighting position becomes easy, in addition
to this, which relieves a tracking operation load on the user.
[0052] In step S6, the lighting position of the lighting fixture 2
is changed onto the path L adjacent in the direction corresponding
to the orientation of the second directional component of the
operation input. The lighting fixture 2 receives the control signal
by the control device 14 to move the lighting position from the
current position to the position at which the vector toward the
second direction intersects the adjacent path L. As mentioned
above, even if the lighting target O moves and deviates from the
route R in the normal direction N (refer to FIG. 3), by largely
inclining the joystick 12 in the direction corresponding to the
relevant normal direction N, the lighting position can be matched
with the lighting target, and the tracking operation can be
subsequently performed along the updated path L.
[0053] In step S7, similarly to step S3, the current lighting
position of the lighting fixture 2 is read, and the first direction
and the second direction at the current lighting position are
calculated.
[0054] In step S8, it is determined whether or not the lighting
position reaches the target point (point P2). Namely, it is
determined whether or not the position coordinates of the current
lighting position read in step S7 coincide with the position
coordinates of the point P2 stored in the storage 16. When it is
determined to be affirmative (YES) in step S8, the process advances
to step S9. When it is determined to be negative (NO) in step S8,
the process is returned to step S4 and the control of the lighting
position including steps S4 to S8 is subsequently performed. The
control of the lighting position including steps S4 to S8 is
performed until the affirmative (YES) determination is made in step
S8 or until an instruction of stop or change of the series of
processing is made. Moreover, the control of the lighting position
including steps S4 to S8 is repeatedly performed for every elapse
of a predetermined period.
[0055] In step S9, the dimming state of the lighting fixture 2 is
controlled based on the control information associated with the
target point (point P2) that it has reached. The control device 14
reads the control information stored in the storage 16 and
associated with the point P2, and based on the relevant control
information, transmits the control signal to the lighting fixture
2. As described above, in step S9, the dimming state of the
lighting fixture 2 is set without user's input. For example, when
there is a portion where it is desired to change the dimming state
of the lighting fixture 2 on the route R on which the lighting
target moves, the user designates the portion as a target point,
and causes the lighting control console 10 to store a dimming state
to be realized. Thereby, even without user's input, it is possible
to realize change to the desired dimming state only with movement
operation of the lighting position by the joystick 12.
[0056] In step S10, it is determined whether or not the next target
point (for example, the point P3 shown in FIG. 3) exists. The
control device 14 determines whether or not the point P3 is
registered as the movement destination of the lighting target
following the point P2 in the setting data stored in the storage
16. When it is determined to be affirmative (YES) in step S10, the
process advances to step S11. When it is determined to be negative
(NO) in step S10, the process is ended.
[0057] In step S11, the target point is updated for the next
control of the lighting fixture 2. For example, the control device
14 reads the setting data stored in the storage 16, and displays
the updated start point (point P2) and target point (point P3) on
the display 18. After performing the process of step S11, the
control device 14 returns the process again to step S1 to perform
the aforementioned series of processing.
[0058] According to the aforementioned lighting control console 10,
lighting system 1 and control method of the lighting fixture 2,
when the lighting position of the lighting fixture 2 is caused to
track the movement of the lighting target, positioning between the
lighting target and the lighting position is easy, which relieves
an operation load on a user. For example, even if the direction of
the operation input of the joystick 12 deviates slightly with
respect to the movement direction of the lighting target O, the
lighting position moves on the predetermined path L without
deviating, and hence, tracking can be performed by one-dimensional
operation input. Moreover, even if the lighting target O deviates
from the scheduled route R, the lighting position can be quickly
matched with the lighting target O, and the tracking operation by
one-dimensional operation input can be performed again along the
updated path L.
[0059] Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the
aforementioned embodiment and its modifications but can be
variously improved or altered without departing from the range of
the matters described in the appended claims of the present
application and their equivalents.
[0060] In the aforementioned embodiment, after the affirmative
(YES) determination that the lighting position reaches the target
point is made in step S8, in step S9, the dimming state of the
lighting fixture 2 is controlled based on the control information
associated with the target point. Nevertheless, dimming control of
the lighting fixture 2 based on the control information associated
with the target point can be started, prior to arrival of the
lighting position to the target point. For example, in the case
where the dimming state is largely changed, the case where the
lighting fixture 2 used is switched, or a similar case, namely
rapid change of the dimming state, possibly causes an unnatural
impression. In such a case, control of the dimming state may be
started when the lighting position comes close to the target point,
and the dimming state may be gradually changed. Otherwise, in the
aforementioned case, after the lighting position reaches the target
point, the lighting fixture 2 may be controlled so as to lead to
gradual change to the dimming state based on the control
information associated with the target point.
[0061] While in the aforementioned embodiment, the series of
processing is ended when it is determined that the next target
point does not exist in step S10, the control device 14 may cause
the display 18 to display a screen for setting the next target
point and cause the user to designate the next target point. In
this case, the user makes an input using the touch panel 20 or the
like to designate the target point, and after that, the control
device 14 updates the target point and generates a plurality of
paths L to this target point. Subsequently, the control device 14
causes the storage 16 to store the updated target point and the
generated paths L, and causes the display 18 to display them. After
that, the process advances to the aforementioned step S11 to
perform the processing in and after step S11. Thereby, the lighting
control console 10 and the lighting system 1 of the present
embodiment can be used for tracking operation in the case where it
is grasped that the lighting target moves among specific points
while the route R on which the lighting target moves is not
predetermined.
[0062] Moreover, in the aforementioned embodiment, the target point
can also be updated while the lighting position is moving on the
path L. For example, the display 18 is caused to display an image
for accepting update of the target point. Then, when the touch
panel 20 accepts an input on a portion corresponding to the
relevant image, the control device 14 may cause the display 18 to
display a screen for setting the next target point, and cause the
user to designate the next target point. After that, similarly to
the above, the target point may be updated upon reception of user's
input to generate the plurality of paths L, and subsequently, to
perform the processing in and after the aforementioned step S11.
Thereby, for example, even if a situation arises where the lighting
target O is going to move to a position where the path L does not
exist, the lighting position can be moved along the newly generated
path L, and subsequently, the tracking operation using the lighting
control console 10 and the lighting system 1 of the present
embodiment can be performed.
[0063] Moreover, in the aforementioned embodiment, there may be a
mode in which switching to manual tracking operation is possible at
any time point. For example, the display 18 may be caused to
display an image for accepting switching to manual control of the
lighting position, and the control device 14 and the like may be
configured such that switching to the manual control is possible
when the touch panel 20 accepts an input on a portion corresponding
to the relevant image. When control of the lighting position is
switched to the manual control, for example, the operation input
accepted by the joystick 12 is associated with coordinates of the
lighting position of the lighting fixture 2. Thereby, the user can
perform the manual control of the lighting position by operation of
the joystick 12. As a result, even if a sudden event happens during
movement of the lighting target O, which leads to a situation that
cannot be sufficiently handled by update of the target point, the
tracking operation can be quickly performed, and even in the case
of a suspended period of tracking lighting, the period of
suspension can be kept as short as possible.
[0064] While in the aforementioned embodiment, when the negative
(NO) determination is made in step S5, that is, when another path L
adjacent in the input direction of the second directional component
of the operation input does not exist, movement in the first
direction is just simply continued, warning may also be issued in
this case. Examples of the warning include, for example, display of
a warning icon on the display 18, and generation of a warning sound
such as buzzing. The aforementioned warning can promote the user to
perform switching to the aforementioned manual tracking
operation.
[0065] For the aforementioned embodiment, there has been described
the case where the lighting control console 10 includes the
joystick 12 and the touch panel 20 as input devices. Nevertheless,
the lighting control console 10 of the present disclosure may use a
known input device used for the lighting control console 10 other
than the joystick 12 and the touch panel 20.
[0066] For example, for the aforementioned embodiment, there has
been described the case where the joystick 12 is used as the
operation device that accepts the operation input for controlling
the lighting position of the lighting fixture 2. Nevertheless, the
type of the input device used for the operation device is not
limited as long as the input for controlling movement of the
lighting position along the path L, and the input for changing the
lighting position onto another adjacent path L, are possible. For
example, as the operation device a known input device with which
inputs in two-dimensional directions may be used, such as a
trackball, a touch pad, a tablet terminal and a mouse. These
two-dimensional input devices including the joystick 12 are
preferable since the first operation input and the second operation
input can be performed through a single operation and they can be
instinctively operated. Moreover, the operation device may have a
configuration in which two operation inputs independent of each
other are possible by combining known input devices such as a
fader, a rotary encoder, a button and a keyboard.
[0067] While the foregoing has described what are considered to be
the best mode and/or other examples, it is understood that various
modifications may be made therein and that the subject matter
disclosed herein may be implemented in various forms and examples,
and that they may be applied in numerous applications, only some of
which have been described herein. It is intended by the following
claims to claim any and all modifications and variations that fall
within the true scope of the present teachings.
* * * * *